Herbicidal composition

ABSTRACT

Many herbicidal compositions have been developed and are presently used. However, weeds to be controlled are various in types and their emergence extends over a long period. Accordingly, it is desired to develop a herbicidal composition which has a broad herbicidal spectrum, a high activity and a long lasting effect. The present invention provides a herbicidal composition comprising, as active ingredients, (a) flazasulfuron or its salt, and (b) amicarbazone or its salt.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a herbicidal composition comprising (a)flazasulfuron or its salt, and (b) amicarbazone or its salt.

BACKGROUND ART

Patent Document 1 discloses a solid herbicidal composition comprisingflazasulfuron or its salt, and a certain surfactant. Further, PatentDocument 2 discloses a composition comprising amicarbazone and aherbicidal compound. However, Patent Documents 1 and 2 disclose orsuggest nothing about the specific combination of the herbicidalcomposition of the present invention, not to mention the synergisticeffect obtainable by such a combination.

PRIOR ART DOCUMENTS Patent Documents

Patent Document 1: JP-A-2007-262052

Patent Document 2: U.S. Pat. No. 5,968,873

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION Technical Problem

Many herbicidal compositions have been developed and are presently used,but they may not necessarily be sufficient to control noxious plantsincluding weeds to be controlled. Accordingly, it is desired to developa highly active herbicidal composition.

Weeds to be controlled are many in types and their emergency extendsover a long period, and therefore, it is desired to develop a herbicidalcomposition having a broader herbicidal spectrum and a long-lastingeffect. Further, recently, with a view to reducing an environmental loadon a place where a herbicidal agent is applied or a peripheral areathereof, it is desired to develop a technique of reducing the dose ofthe active ingredient.

Solution to Problem

The present inventors have conducted a research to solve the aboveproblem, etc., and as a result, have found a practically highly usefulherbicidal composition. That is, the present invention provides a highlyactive herbicidal composition comprising, as active ingredients, (a)flazasulfuron or its salt, and (b) amicarbazone or its salt. Further,the present invention provides a method for controlling noxious plants,which comprises applying a herbicidally effective amount of a herbicidalcomposition comprising, as active ingredients, (a) flazasulfuron or itssalt, and (b) amicarbazone or its salt, to the noxious plants or to aplace where they grow. Further, the present invention provides a methodfor controlling noxious plants, which comprises applying a herbicidallyeffective amount of (a) flazasulfuron or its salt, and a herbicidallyeffective amount of (b) amicarbazone or its salt, to the noxious plantsor to a place where they grow.

Advantageous Effects of Invention

According to the present invention, it is possible to present a highlyactive herbicidal composition.

The herbicidal composition of the present invention is capable ofcontrolling a wide range of noxious plants emerging in agriculturalfields or non-agricultural fields. It surprisingly presents asynergistic herbicidal effect i.e. a herbicidal effect higher than themere addition of the respective herbicidal effects of the activeingredients. Such a herbicidal composition of the present invention canbe applied at a low dose as compared with a case where the respectiveactive ingredients are applied individually. Thus, it is effective toreduce the environmental load on an area where the composition isapplied or a surrounding area thereof.

When the herbicidal activity in a case where two active ingredients arecombined, is larger than the simple sum of the respective herbicidalactivities of the two active ingredients (the expected activity), it iscalled a synergistic effect. The activity expected by the combination oftwo active ingredients can be calculated as follows (Colby S. R.,“Weed”, vol. 15, p. 20-22, 1967).

E=α+β−(α×β÷100)

where α: growth inhibition rate when treated with x (g/ha) of herbicideX,

β: growth inhibition rate when treated with y (g/ha) of herbicide Y,

E: growth inhibition rate expected when treated with x (g/ha) ofherbicide X and y (g/ha) of herbicide Y.

That is, when the actual growth inhibition rate (measured value) islarger than the growth inhibition rate by the above calculation(calculated value), the activity by the combination can be regarded asshowing a synergistic effect. The herbicidal composition of the presentinvention shows a synergistic effect when calculated by the aboveformula.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

In above (a), flazasulfuron (common name) is1-(4,6-dimethoxypyrimidin-2-yl)-3-(3-trifluoromethyl-2-pyridylsulfonyl)urea.

In above (b), amicarbazone (common name) is 4-amino-N-tertiarybutyl-4,5-dihydro-3-isopropyl-5-oxo-1,2,4-1H-triazole-1-carboxamide.

The salt included in above (a) or (b) may be any salt so long as it isagriculturally acceptable. Examples thereof include alkali metal saltssuch as a sodium salt and a potassium salt; alkaline earth metal saltssuch as a magnesium salt and a calcium salt; ammonium salts such as amonomethylammonium salt, a dimethylammonium salt and a triethylammoniumsalt; inorganic acid salts such as a hydrochloride, a perchlorate, asulfate and a nitrate, and organic acid salts such as an acetate and amethanesulfonate.

The mixing ratio of above (a) to (b) cannot generally be defined, as itmay vary depending upon various conditions such as the types ofcompounds to be mixed, the type of the formulation, the weatherconditions, and the type and the growth stage of the noxious plants tobe controlled, but it is, for example, preferably from 1:2,000 to 5:1,more preferably from 1:500 to 1.5:1, particularly preferably from 1:250to 1.5:1 by the weight ratio of (a):(b).

The herbicidally effective amounts of above (a) and (b) in the presentinvention cannot generally be defined, as they may vary depending uponthe various conditions such as the mixing ratio of (a) to (b), the typeof the formulation, the weather conditions, and the type and the growthstage of the noxious plants to be controlled. However, for example, (a)is applied in an amount of preferably from 2 to 250 g/ha, morepreferably from 5 to 200 g/ha, particularly preferably from 5 to 200g/ha, and (b) is applied in an amount of preferably from 50 to 4,000g/ha, more preferably from 150 to 2,500 g/ha, particularly preferablyfrom 150 to 1,250 g/ha.

The herbicidal composition of the present invention may be applied tonoxious plants or may be applied to a place where they grow. Further, itmay be applied at any time either before or after the emergence of thenoxious plants. Further, the herbicidal composition of the presentinvention may take various application forms such as soil application,foliar application, irrigation application, and submerged application,and it can be applied to agricultural fields such as upland fields,orchards and paddy fields, and non-cropland such as ridges of fields,fallow fields, play grounds, golf courses, vacant lands, forests,factory sites, railway sides and roadsides.

The herbicidal composition of the present invention can control a broadrange of noxious plants such as annual weeds and perennial weeds. Thenoxious plants to be controlled by the herbicidal composition of thepresent invention may, for example, be cyperaceae such as green kyllinga(Kyllinga brevifolia Rottb.), or sedge (Cyperus spp.) [the sedge may,for example, be purple nutsedge (Cyperus rotundus L.), smallflowerumbrella sedge (Cyperus difformis L.), yellow nutsedge (Cyperusesculentus L.) or amur cyperus (Cyperus microiria Steud.)]; gramineaesuch as barnyardgrass (Echinochloa crus-galli L., Echinochloa oryzicolavasing.), crabgrass (Digitaria spp.) [the crabgrass may, for example, besummergrass (Digitaria ciliaris (Retz.) Koel), large crabgrass(Digitaria sanquinalis L.), violet crabgrass (Digitaria violascens Link)or Digitaria horizontalis Willd.], green foxtail (Setaria viridis L.),goosegrass (Eleusine indica L.), johnsongrass (Sorghum halepense (L.)Pers.), annual bluegrass (Poa annua L.), panic grass (Panicum spp.) [thepanic grass may, for example, be guinea grass (Panicum maximum Jacq.),or fall panicum (Panicum dichotomiflorum (L.) Michx.)], signal grass(Brachiaria spp.) [the signal grass may, for example, be plantain signalgrass (Brachiaria plantaginea (LINK) Hitchc.), palisade signal grass(Brachiaria decumbens Stapf), or mauritius signal grass (Brachiariamutica (Forssk.) Stapf)], paspalum (Paspalum spp.), or itchgrass(Rottboellia cochinchinensis (LOUR.) W.D.CLAYTON); scrophulariaceae suchas persian speedwell (Veronica persica Poir.), or corn speedwell(Veronica arvensis L.); compositae such as beggar ticks (Bidens spp.)[the beggar ticks may, for example, be hairy beggarticks (Bidens pilosaL.), devils berggarticks (Bidens frondosa L.), Bidens biternata (Lour.)Merr. et Sherff), or beggarticks (Bidens subalternans DC.)], hairyfleabane (Conyza bonariensis (L) Cronq.), horseweed (Erigeron canadensisL.), dandelion (Taraxacum officinale Weber), or common cocklebur(Xanthium strumarium L.); leguminosae such as white clover (Trifoliumrepens L.); caryophyllaceae such as sticky chickweed (Cerastiumglomeratum Thuill.), or common chickweed (Stellaria media L.);euphorbiaceae such as garden spurge (Euphorbia hirta L.), threeseededcopperleaf (Acalypha australis L.), or fireplant (Euphorbia heterophyllaL.); plantaginaceae such as asiatic plantain (Plantago asiatica L.);oxalidaceae such as creeping woodsorrel (Oxalis comiculata L.); apiaceaesuch as lawn pennywort (Hydrocotyle sibthorpioides Lam.); violaceae suchas violet (Viola mandshurica W. Becker); iridaceae such asblue-eyedgrass (Sisyrinchium rosulatum Bicknell); geraniaceae such ascarolina geranium (Geranium carolinianum L.); labiatae such as purpledeadnettle (Lamium purpureum L.), or henbit (Lamium amplexicaule L.);malvaceae such as velvetleaf (Abutilon theophrasti MEDIC.), or pricklysida (Sida spinosa L.); convolvulaceae such as common morningglory(Ipomoea purpurea ROTH), cypressvine morningglory (Ipomoea quamoclitL.), Ipomoea grandifolia (DAMMERMANN) O'DONNELL, hairy merremia(Merremia aegyptia (L.) URBAN), or field Bindweed (Convolvulus arvensisL.); chenopodiaceae such as common lambsquarters (Chenopodium album L.);portulacaceae such as common purslane (Portulaca oleracea L.);amaranthaceae such as pigweed (Amaranthus spp.) [the pigweed may, forexample, be prostrate pigweed (Amaranthus blitoides S. Wats.), lividamaranth (Amaranthus lividus L.), purple amaranth (Amaranthus blitumL.), smooth pigweed (Amaranthus hybridus L.), Amaranthus patulusBertol., powell amaranth (Amaranthus powellii S.Wats.), slender amaranth(Amaranthus viridis L.), palmer amaranth (Amaranthus palmeri S.Wats.),redroot pigweed (Amaranthus retroflexus L.), tall waterhemp (Amaranthustuberculatus (Moq.) Sauer.), common waterhemp (Amaranthus tamariscinusNutt.), thorny amaranth (Amaranthus spinosus L.), ataco (Amaranthusguitensis Kunth.), or Amaranthus rudis Sauer]; solanaceae such as blacknightshade (Solanum nigrum L.); polygonaceeae such as spotted knotweed(Polygonum lapathifolium L.), or green smartweed (Polygonum scabrumMOENCH); cruciferae such as flexuous bittercress (Cardamine flexuosaWITH.); cucurbitaceae such as burcucumber (Sicyos anqulatus L.); orcommelinaceae such as common dayflower (Commelina communis L.).

The herbicidal composition of the present invention is effectively usedto selectively control noxious weeds in cultivation of varioustransformed plants. Examples of the transformed plants includepest-resistant transformed plants, phytopathogen-resistant transformedplants, transformed plants regarding plant components, andherbicide-tolerant transformed plants.

Further, in the present invention, when above (a) and (b) are used incombination, it is expected that good residual activity is obtainable.

Further, the herbicidal composition of the present invention exhibits anexcellent effect to control weeds having sensitivity to variousherbicides lowered, for example, weeds having sensitivity to asulfonylurea compound such as flazasulfuron lowered. The weeds havingsuch sensitivity lowered may, for example, be green kyllinga, purplenutsedge, johnsongrass, fireplant, beggar ticks (such as hairybeggarticks, beggarticks, or the like) or pigweed (such as prostratepigweed, livid amaranth, smooth pigweed, powell amaranth, slenderamaranth, palmer amaranth, redroot pigweed, tall waterhemp, commonwaterhemp, ataco, Amaranthus rudis Sauer, or the like).

Further, the herbicidal composition of the present invention is veryuseful in a practical application, since it is capable of controlling,for example, strongly noxious weeds in sugarcane fields, such asconvolvulaceae (such as common morningglory, cypressvine morningglory,Ipomoea grandifolia (DAMMERMANN) O'DONNELL, hairy merremia, fieldBindweed, or the like), cyperaceae (such as purple nutsedge, yellownutsedge, or the like) or gramineae (such as crabgrass, panic grass,signal grass, johnsongrass, or the like). Here, the crabgrass isspecifically summergrass, large crabgrass, violet crabgrass, Digitariahorizontalis Willd., or the like; the panic grass is specifically guineagrass, fall panicum, or the like; and the signal grass is specificallyplantain signal grass, palisade signal grass, mauritius signal grass, orthe like.

Further, as one of cultivation manners for crop plants, different cropplants may be cultivated in the same field by differentiating timing fortheir cultivation. For example, in the same field where corn wascultivated last year, sugarcane may be cultivated this year, and in sucha case, the previous crop plant such as the corn may be an object to becontrolled as a noxious plant. Further, along with spread of geneticallymodified crop plants or increase of cultivation fields, there may be acase where at the time of repeated cultivation, rotational cropping orchange in cropping, the previous crop plant grown as weeds (volunteercrop plant) becomes an object to be controlled as a noxious plant. Evenin such a situation, the herbicidal composition of the present inventionis capable of controlling the noxious plant to be controlled and thus isvery useful in such a practical application.

The herbicidal composition of the present invention may further containother herbicidal compounds in addition to the above-described activeingredients so long as such will meet the object of the presentinvention, and there may be a case where it is thereby possible toimprove e.g. the range of weeds to be controlled, the timing forapplication of the herbicidal composition, the herbicidal activities,etc. to more desirable directions. Such other herbicidal compoundsinclude, for example, the following compounds (common names includingones under application for approval by ISO, or test codes, here, “underapplication for approval by ISO” means common names before approval byISO (International Organization for Standardization)), and one or moreof them may suitably be selected for use. Even when not specificallymentioned here, in a case where such compounds have salts, alkyl esters,hydrates, different crystal forms, various structural isomers, etc.,they are, of course, all included.

Further, in consideration of the application site of the herbicidalcomposition or the type or growth state of the noxious plants, theherbicidal composition of the present invention may be mixed with or maybe used in combination with fungicides, antibiotics, plant hormones,insecticides, fertilizers, phytotoxicity-reducing agents, etc., wherebymore excellent effects and activities may sometimes be obtained.

(1) Those which are believed to exhibit herbicidal effects by disturbinghormone activities of plants, such as a phenoxy type such as 2,4-D,2,4-D-butotyl, 2,4-D-butyl, 2,4-D-dimethylammonium, 2,4-D-diolamine,2,4-D-ethyl, 2,4-D-2-ethylhexyl, 2,4-D-isobutyl, 2,4-D-isoctyl,2,4-D-isopropyl, 2,4-D-isopropylammonium, 2,4-D-sodium,2,4-D-isopropanolammonium, 2,4-D-trolamine, 2,4-DB, 2,4-DB-butyl,2,4-DB-dimethylammonium, 2,4-DB-isoctyl, 2,4-DB-potassium,2,4-DB-sodium, dichlorprop, dichlorprop-butotyl,dichlorprop-dimethylammonium, dichlorprop-isoctyl,dichlorprop-potassium, dichlorprop-P, dichlorprop-P-dimethylammonium,dichlorprop-P-potassium, dichlorprop-P-sodium, MCPA, MCPA-butotyl,MCPA-dimethylammonium, MCPA-2-ethylhexyl, MCPA-potassium, MCPA-sodium,MCPA-thioethyl, MCPB, MCPB-ethyl, MCPB-sodium, mecoprop,mecoprop-butotyl, mecoprop-sodium, mecoprop-P, mecoprop-P-butotyl,mecoprop-P-dimethylammonium, mecoprop-P-2-ethylhexyl,mecoprop-P-potassium, naproanilide or clomeprop; an aromatic carboxylicacid type such as 2,3,6-TBA, dicamba, dicamba-butotyl,dicamba-diglycolamine, dicamba-dimethylammonium, dicamba-diolamine,dicamba-isopropylammonium, dicamba-potassium, dicamba-sodium,dichlobenil, picloram, picloram-dimethylammonium, picloram-isoctyl,picloram-potassium, picloram-triisopropanolammonium,picloram-triisopropylammonium, picloram-trolamine, triclopyr,triclopyr-butotyl, triclopyr-triethylammonium, clopyralid,clopyralid-olamine, clopyralid-potassium,clopyralid-triisopropanolammonium or aminopyralid; and others such asnaptalam, naptalam-sodium, benazolin, benazolin-ethyl, quinclorac,quinmerac, diflufenzopyr, diflufenzopyr-sodium, fluroxypyr,fluroxypyr-2-butoxy-1-methylethyl, fluroxypyr-meptyl, chlorflurenol,chlorflurenol-methyl, aminocyclopyrachlor, aminocyclopyrachlor-methyl oraminocyclopyrachlor-potassium.

(2) Those which are believed to exhibit herbicidal effects by inhibitingphotosynthesis of plants, such as a urea type such as chlorotoluron,diuron, fluometuron, linuron, isoproturon, metobenzuron, tebuthiuron,dimefuron, isouron, karbutilate, methabenzthiazuron, metoxuron,monolinuron, neburon, siduron, terbumeton, trietazine or metobromuron; atriazine type such as simazine, atrazine, atratone, simetryn, prometryn,dimethametryn, hexazinone, metribuzin, terbuthylazine, cyanazine,ametryn, cybutryne, triaziflam, indaziflam, terbutryn, propazine,metamitron or prometon; a uracil type such as bromacil,bromacyl-lithium, lenacil or terbacil; an anilide type such as propanilor cypromid; a carbamate type such as swep, desmedipham or phenmedipham;a hydroxybenzonitrile type such as bromoxynil, bromoxynil-octanoate,bromoxynil-heptanoate, ioxynil, ioxynil-octanoate, ioxynil-potassium orioxynil-sodium; and others such as pyridate, bentazone,bentazone-sodium, methazole or pentanochlor.

(3) Quaternary ammonium salt type such as paraquat or diquat, which isbelieved to be converted to free radicals by itself to form activeoxygen in the plant body and shows rapid herbicidal efficacy.

(4) Those which are believed to exhibit herbicidal effects by inhibitingchlorophyll biosynthesis of plants and abnormally accumulating aphotosensitizing peroxide substance in the plant body, such as adiphenylether type such as nitrofen, chlomethoxyfen, bifenox,acifluorfen, acifluorfen-sodium, fomesafen, fomesafen-sodium,oxyfluorfen, lactofen, aclonifen, ethoxyfen-ethyl (HC-252),fluoroglycofen-ethyl or fluoroglycofen; a cyclic imide type such aschlorphthalim, flumioxazin, flumiclorac, flumiclorac-pentyl,cinidon-ethyl, fluthiacet or fluthiacet-methyl; and others such asoxadiargyl, oxadiazon, sulfentrazone, carfentrazone-ethyl, thidiazimin,pentoxazone, azafenidin, isopropazole, pyraflufen-ethyl, benzfendizone,butafenacil, saflufenacil, flupoxam, fluazolate, profluazol, pyraclonil,flufenpyr-ethyl, bencarbazone, ethyl[3-(2-chloro-4-fluoro-5-(3-methyl-2,6-dioxo-4-trifluoromethyl-3,6-dihydro-2H-pyrimidin-1-yl)phenoxy)pyridin-2-yloxy]acetate(SYN-523).

(5) Those which are believed to exhibit herbicidal effects characterizedby bleaching activities by inhibiting chromogenesis of plants such ascarotenoids, such as a pyridazinone type such as norflurazon,chloridazon or metfiurazon; a pyrazole type such as pyrazolynate,pyrazoxyfen, benzofenap, topramezone or pyrasulfotole; and others suchas amitrole, fluridone, flurtamone, diflufenican, methoxyphenone,clomazone, sulcotrione, mesotrione, tembotrione, tefuryltrione(AVH-301), bicyclopyrone, isoxaflutole, difenzoquat,difenzoquat-metilsulfate, isoxachlortole, benzobicyclon, picolinafen orbeflubutamid.

(6) Those which exhibit strong herbicidal effects specifically togramineous plants, such as an aryloxyphenoxypropionic acid type such asdiclofop-methyl, diclofop, pyriphenop-sodium, fluazifop-butyl,fluazifop, fluazifop-P, fluazifop-P-butyl, haloxyfop-methyl, haloxyfop,haloxyfop-etotyl, haloxyfop-P, haloxyfop-P-methyl, quizalofop-ethyl,quizalofop-P, quizalofop-P-ethyl, quizalofop-P-tefuryl, cyhalofop-butyl,fenoxaprop-ethyl, fenoxaprop-P, fenoxaprop-P-ethyl, metamifop-propyl,metamifop, clodinafop-propargyl, clodinafop or propaquizafop; acyclohexanedione type such as alloxydim-sodium, alloxydim, clethodim,sethoxydim, tralkoxydim, butroxydim, tepraloxydim, profoxydim orcycloxydim; and others such as flamprop-M-methyl, flamprop-M orflamprop-M-isopropyl.

(7) Those which are believed to exhibit herbicidal effects by inhibitingan amino acid biosynthesis of plants, such as a sulfonylurea type suchas chlorimuron-ethyl, chlorimuron, sulfometuron-methyl, sulfometuron,primisulfuron-methyl, primisulfuron, bensulfuron-methyl, bensulfuron,chlorsulfuron, metsulfuron-methyl, metsulfuron, cinosulfuron,pyrazosulfuron-ethyl, pyrazosulfuron, azimsulfuron, rimsulfuron,nicosulfuron, imazosulfuron, cyclosulfamuron, prosulfuron,flupyrsulfuron-methyl-sodium, flupyrsulfuron, triflusulfuron-methyl,triflusulfuron, halosulfuron-methyl, halosulfuron,thifensulfuron-methyl, thifensulfuron, ethoxysulfuron, oxasulfuron,ethametsulfuron, ethametsulfuron-methyl, iodosulfuron,iodosulfuron-methyl-sodium, sulfosulfuron, triasulfuron,tribenuron-methyl, tribenuron, tritosulfuron, foramsulfuron,trifloxysulfuron, trifloxysulfuron-sodium, mesosulfuron-methyl,mesosulfuron, orthosulfamuron, flucetosulfuron, amidosulfuron,propyrisulfuron (TH-547), metazosulfuron, or a compound disclosed in theclaim of WO2005092104; a triazolopyrimidinesulfonamide type such asflumetsulam, metosulam, diclosulam, cloransulam-methyl, florasulam,penoxsulam or pyroxsulam; an imidazolinone type such as imazapyr,imazapyr-isopropylammonium, imazethapyr, imazethapyr-ammonium,imazaquin, imazaquin-ammonium, imazamox, imazamox-ammonium,imazamethabenz, imazamethabenz-methyl or imazapic; apyrimidinylsalicylic acid type such as pyrithiobac-sodium,bispyribac-sodium, pyriminobac-methyl, pyribenzoxim, pyriftalid orpyrimisulfan; a sulfonylaminocarbonyltriazolinone type such asflucarbazone, flucarbazone-sodium, propoxycarbazone-sodium,propoxycarbazone or thiencarbazone; and others such as glyphosate,glyphosate-sodium, glyphosate-potassium, glyphosate-ammonium,glyphosate-diammonium, glyphosate-isopropylammonium,glyphosate-trimesium, glyphosate-sesquisodium, glufosinate,glufosinate-ammonium, glufosinate-P, glufosinate-P-ammonium,glufosinate-P-sodium, bilanafos, bilanafos-sodium or cinmethylin.

(8) Those which are believed to exhibit herbicidal effects by inhibitingcell mitoses of plants, such as a dinitroaniline type such astrifluralin, oryzalin, nitralin, pendimethalin, ethalfluralin,benfluralin, prodiamine, butralin or dinitramine; an amide type such asbensulide, napropamide, propyzamide or pronamide; an organic phosphorustype such as amiprofos-methyl, butamifos, anilofos or piperophos; aphenyl carbamate type such as propham, chiorpropham, barban orcarbetamide; a cumylamine type such as daimuron, cumyluron, bromobutideor methyldymron; and others such as asulam, asulam-sodium, dithiopyr,thiazopyr, chlorthal-dimethyl, chlorthal or diphenamid.

(9) Those which are believed to exhibit herbicidal effects by inhibitingprotein biosynthesis or lipid biosynthesis of plants, such as achloroacetamide type such as alachlor, metazachlor, butachlor,pretilachlor, metolachlor, S-metolachlor, thenylchlor, pethoxamid,acetochlor, propachior, dimethenamid, dimethenamid-P, propisochlor ordimethachlor; a thiocarbamate type such as molinate, dimepiperate,pyributicarb, EPTC, butylate, vernolate, pebulate, cycloate,prosulfocarb, esprocarb, thiobencarb, diallate, tri-allate or orbencarb;and others such as etobenzanid, mefenacet, flufenacet, tridiphane,cafenstrole, fentrazamide, oxaziclomefone, indanofan, benfuresate,pyroxasulfone, fenoxasulfone, dalapon, dalapon-sodium, TCA-sodium ortrichloroacetic acid.

(10) MSMA, DSMA, CMA, endothall, endothall-dipotassium,endothall-sodium, endothall-mono(N,N-dimethylalkylammonium),ethofumesate, sodium chlorate, pelargonic acid (nonanoic acid),fosamine, fosamine-ammonium, pinoxaden, ipfencarbazone (HOK-201),aclolein, ammonium sulfamate, borax, chloroacetic acid, sodiumchloroacete, cyanamide, methylarsonic acid, dimethylarsinic acid, sodiumdimethylarsinate, dinoterb, dinoterb-ammonium, dinoterb-diolamine,dinoterb-acetate, DNOC, ferrous sulfate, flupropanate,flupropanate-sodium, isoxaben, mefluidide, mefluidide-diolamine, metam,metam-ammonium, metam-potassium, metam-sodium, methyl isothiocyanate,pentachlorophenol, sodium pentachlorophenoxide, pentachlorophenollaurate, quinoclamine, sulfuric acid, urea sulfate,methiozolin (MRC-01),etc.

(11) Those which are believed to exhibit herbicidal effects by beingparasitic on plants, such as Xanthomonas campestris, Epicoccosirusnematosorus, Epicoccosirus nematosperus, Exserohilum monoseras orDrechsrela monoceras.

The herbicidal composition of the present invention may be prepared bymixing (a) and (b), as active ingredients, with various agriculturaladditives in accordance with conventional formulation methods foragricultural chemicals, and applied in various formulations such asdusts, granules, water dispersible granules, wettable powders, tablets,pills, capsules (including a formulation packaged by a water solublefilm), water-based suspensions, oil-based suspensions, microemulsions,suspoemulsions, water soluble powders, emulsifiable concentrates,soluble concentrates or pastes. It may be formed into any formulationwhich is commonly used in this field, so long as the object of thepresent invention is thereby met.

At the time of the formulation, (a) and (b) may be mixed together forthe formulation, or they may be separately formulated.

The additives to be used for the formulation include, for example, asolid carrier such as kaolinite, sericite, diatomaceous earth, slakedlime, calcium carbonate, talc, white carbon, kaoline, bentonite, clay,sodium carbonate, sodium bicarbonate, mirabilite, zeolite or starch; asolvent such as water, toluene, xylene, solvent naphtha, dioxane,dimethylsulfoxide, N,N-dimethylformamide, dimethylacetamide,N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone or an alcohol; an anionic surfactant such as asalt of fatty acid, a benzoate, a polycarboxylate, a salt ofalkylsulfuric acid ester, an alkyl sulfate, an alkylaryl sulfate, analkyl diglycol ether sulfate, a salt of alcohol sulfuric acid ester, analkyl sulfonate, an alkylaryl sulfonate, an aryl sulfonate, a ligninsulfonate, an alkyldiphenylether disulfonate, a polystyrene sulfonate, asalt of alkylphosphoric acid ester, an alkylaryl phosphate, a styrylarylphosphate, a salt of polyoxyethylene alkyl ether sulfuric acid ester, apolyoxyethylene alkylaryl ether sulfate, a salt of polyoxyethylenealkylaryl ether sulfuric acid ester, a polyoxyethylene alkyl etherphosphate, a salt of polyoxyethylene alkylaryl phosphoric acid ester, asalt of polyoxyethylene aryl ether phosphoric acid ester, a naphthalenesulfonic acid condensed with formaldehyde or a salt of alkylnaphthalenesulfonic acid condensed with formaldehyde; a nonionic surfactant such asa sorbitan fatty acid ester, a glycerin fatty acid ester, a fatty acidpolyglyceride, a fatty acid alcohol polyglycol ether, acetylene glycol,acetylene alcohol, an oxyalkylene block polymer, a polyoxyethylene alkylether, a polyoxyethylene alkylaryl ether, a polyoxyethylene styrylarylether, a polyoxyethylene glycol alkyl ether, polyethylene glycol, apolyoxyethylene fatty acid ester, a polyoxyethylene sorbitan fatty acidester, a polyoxyethylene glycerin fatty acid ester, a polyoxyethylenehydrogenated castor oil or a polyoxypropylene fatty acid ester; and avegetable oil or mineral oil such as olive oil, kapok oil, castor oil,palm oil, camellia oil, coconut oil, sesame oil, corn oil, rice branoil, peanut oil, cottonseed oil, soybean oil, rapeseed oil, linseed oil,tung oil or liquid paraffins. These additives may suitably be selectedfor use alone or in combination as a mixture of two or more of them, solong as the object of the present invention is met. Further, additivesother than the above-mentioned may be suitably selected for use amongthose known in this field. For example, various additives commonly used,such as a filler, a thickener, an anti-settling agent, an anti-freezingagent, a dispersion stabilizer, a safener, an anti-mold agent, a bubbleagent, a disintegrator and a binder, may be used. The mix ratio byweight of the active ingredient to such various additives may be from0.001:99.999 to 95:5, preferably from 0.005:99.995 to 90:10.

As a method of applying the herbicidal composition of the presentinvention, a proper method can be employed among various methodsdepending upon various conditions such as the application site, the typeof the formulation, and the type and the growth stage of the noxiousplants to be controlled, and for example, the following methods may bementioned.

1. (a) and (b) are formulated together, and the formulation is appliedas it is.

2. (a) and (b) are formulated together, the formulation is diluted to apredetermined concentration with e.g. water, and as the case requires, aspreader (such as a surfactant, a vegetable oil or a mineral oil) isadded for application.

3. (a) and (b) are separately formulated and applied as they are.

4. (a) and (b) are separately formulated, and they are diluted to apredetermined concentration with e.g. water, and as the case requires, aspreader (such as a surfactant, a vegetable oil or a mineral oil) isadded for application.

5. (a) and (b) are separately formulated, and the formulations are mixedwhen diluted to a predetermined concentration with e.g. water, and asthe case requires, a spreader (such as a surfactant, a vegetable oil ora mineral oil) is added for application.

EXAMPLES

Now, the present invention will be described in further detail withreference to Examples. However, it should be understood that the presentinvention is by no means restricted to such specific Examples.

Test Example 1

Upland field soil was put into a 1/1,000,000 hectare pot, and seeds ofgoosegrass (Eleusine indica (L.) Gaertn.) were sown. One day later,water dispersible granules containing flazasulfuron as an activeingredient (tradename: SHIBAGEN DF, manufactured by Ishihara SangyoKaisha, Ltd.) and water dispersible granules containing amicarbazone asan active ingredient (tradename: Dinamic, manufactured by ArystaLifeScience) in predetermined amounts were diluted with water in anamount corresponding to 200 L/ha and applied for soil treatment by asmall sprayer.

On the 14 days after the treatment, the state of growth of goosegrasswas visually observed to determine the growth inhibition rate (%)(measured value) in accordance with the following evaluation standard.Further, in accordance with the Colby's formula, the growth inhibitionrate (%) (calculated value) was calculated. The results are shown inTable 1.

Growth inhibition rate (%)=0 (equivalent to the non-treated area) to 100(complete kill)

TABLE 1 Growth inhibition rate (%) of goosegrass Dose MeasuredCalculated Active ingredient (g/ha) value value Flazasulfuron 37.5 53 —Amicarbazone 1050 68 — Flazasulfuron + Amicarbazone 37.5 + 1050 94 85

Test Example 2

Upland field soil was put into a 1/1,000,000 ha pot, and seeds ofbermuda grass (Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers.) were sown. When bermudagrass reached from 4.0 to 4.5 leaf stage, water dispersible granulescontaining flazasulfuron as an active ingredient (tradename: SHIBAGENDF) and water dispersible granules containing amicarbazone as an activeingredient (tradename: Dinamic) in predetermined amounts were dilutedwith water (corresponding to 300 L/ha) containing 0.25 vol % of anagricultural adjuvant (tradename: Agral, manufactured by Syngenta cropprotection) and applied for foliar treatment by a small sprayer.

On the 21 days after the treatment, the state of growth of bermuda grasswas visually observed, and the growth inhibition rate (%) obtained inthe same manner as in Test Example 1 is shown in Table 2.

TABLE 2 Growth inhibition rate (%) of bermuda grass Dose MeasuredCalculated Active ingredient (g/ha) value value Flazasulfuron 200 15 —Amicarbazone 150 0 — Flazasulfuron + Amicarbazone 200 + 150 73 15

Test Example 3

Upland field soil was put into a 1/1,000,000 ha pot, and tubers of greenkyllinga (Cyperus brevifolius var. leiolepis) were planted. When greenkyllinga reached from 6.0 to 7.0 cm, water dispersible granulescontaining flazasulfuron as an active ingredient (tradename: SHIBAGENDF) and water dispersible granules containing amicarbazone as an activeingredient (tradename: Dinamic) in predetermined amounts were dilutedwith water (corresponding to 200 Uha) containing 0.025 vol % of anagricultural adjuvant (tradename: Agral) and applied for foliartreatment by a small sprayer.

On the 28 days after the treatment, the state of growth of greenkyllinga was visually observed, and the growth inhibition rate (%)obtained in the same manner as in Test Example 1 is shown in Table 3.

TABLE 3 Growth inhibition rate (%) of green kyllinga Dose MeasuredCalculated Active ingredient (g/ha) value value Flazasulfuron 5 0 —Amicarbazone 1250 69 — Flazasulfuron + Amicarbazone 5 + 1250 83 69

Test Example 4 (Test Assumed to Control Crop Plant Which Became Weeds)

Upland field soil was put into a 1/1,000,000 ha pot, and seeds of corn(Zea mays L.) were sown. One day later, water dispersible granulescontaining flazasulfuron as an active ingredient (tradename: SHIBAGENDF) and water dispersible granules containing amicarbazone as an activeingredient (tradename: Dinamic) in predetermined amounts were dilutedwith water (corresponding to 200 Uha) and applied for soil treatment bya small sprayer.

On the 28 days after the treatment, the state of growth of corn wasvisually observed, and the growth inhibition rate (%) obtained in thesame manner as in Test Example 1 is shown in Table 4.

TABLE 4 Growth inhibition rate (%) of corn Dose Measured CalculatedActive ingredient (g/ha) value value Flazasulfuron 5 40 — Amicarbazone2500 87 — Flazasulfuron + Amicarbazone 5 + 2500 98 92

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY According to the present invention, it ispossible to provide a herbicidal composition which has a broadherbicidal spectrum and also has a high activity.

The entire disclosure of Japanese Patent Application No. 2011-009403filed on Jan. 20, 2011 including specification, claims and summary isincorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

1. A herbicidal composition comprising, as active ingredients, (a)flazasulfuron or its salt, and (b) amicarbazone or its salt.
 2. A methodfor controlling noxious plants, which comprises applying a herbicidallyeffective amount of a herbicidal composition comprising, as activeingredients, (a) flazasulfuron or its salt, and (b) amicarbazone or itssalt, to the noxious plants or to a place where they grow
 3. A methodfor controlling noxious plants, which comprises applying a herbicidallyeffective amount of (a) flazasulfuron or its salt, and a herbicidallyeffective amount of (b) amicarbazone or its salt, to the noxious plantsor to a place where they grow.
 4. The composition according to claim 1,wherein the mixing ratio of (a) to (b) is from 1:2,000 to 5:1, by theweight ratio.
 5. The method according to claim 2, wherein (a) is appliedin an amount of from 2 to 250 g/ha, and (b) is applied in an amount offrom 50 to 4,000 g/ha.
 6. The method according to claim 2, wherein thenoxious plants are weeds having sensitivity to a sulfonylurea typecompound lowered.
 7. The method according to claim 2, wherein thenoxious plants are convolvulaceae, cyperaceae or gramineae.
 8. Themethod according to claim 3, wherein (a) is applied in an amount of from2 to 250 g/ha, and (b) is applied in an amount of from 50 to 4,000 g/ha.9. The method according to claim 3, wherein the noxious plants are weedshaving sensitivity to a sulfonylurea type compound lowered.
 10. Themethod according to claim 3, wherein the noxious plants areconvolvulaceae, cyperaceae or gramineae.